This is a Full Metal Alchemist and Rising of the Shield Hero Crossover Fanfiction Only.
It's incredible how swiftly I acquired numerous crates of the herbicide. The real challenge was obtaining an ample supply of ingredients. Thankfully, one of the kids informed me that we could find these ingredients near their previous residence. Consequently, we had to backtrack to their den and gather as much as possible. With the assistance of two additional individuals, the task became significantly faster and more manageable.
I was completely taken aback by how quickly the entire collection was completed. It happened in just a matter of minutes, which was incredibly fast. But what surprised me even more was that by placing all those unused ingredients for potions into my shield, it triggered the opening of several more shields. And since these shields were so nourishing, they became even more powerful by the time we finished gathering all the ingredients. The first shield enhanced the number of items I could obtain from picking or harvesting plants, aptly named the Harvester Shield. The second shield, known as the Garden Shield, bestowed upon me an inexplicable knowledge of flowers and edible plants. And finally, the Farmer Shield granted me the remarkable ability to revive any plant with a simple touch, or even enhance its productivity.
To my surprise, Filo and Gaelion surprisingly got along well. I always thought Filolials and Dragons despised each other, but somehow they managed to put their differences aside and even assisted one another. It was incredible to witness them taking turns pulling the cart, which significantly boosted our travel speed. Not only that, but they also started using wind cutter spells and fire breath to eliminate any monsters obstructing our path. Strangely enough, these creatures always ended up being absorbed into my shield.
The influx of monster parts seemed never-ending, but my Tamer skills proved invaluable. The Tamer Shield allowed me to handle the situation effortlessly. Moreover, my butchering skill, the Butcher Shield, expertly sorted the animal parts into materials for crafting, cooking ingredients, and even potions. It took us a grueling two days to finally reach the village, where I suspect someone foolishly used the seed found in the chest from the cave.
The reason for the delay? Well, as we approached our destination, we encountered numerous individuals who believed that escaping the village would miraculously cure them or halt the progression of their illness. Little did they know, they were actually plagued by parasitic plants. It wasn't a virus or bacteria causing their condition. Therefore, we had to pause and administer herbicide to eradicate the leaves that had sprouted on their skin.
Whispers of the village's relentless famine had circulated far and wide, until a beacon of hope emerged in the form of a legendary hero. With great excitement, the hero revealed a seed capable of ending their prolonged suffering. Overjoyed, the villagers wasted no time in planting the seed and distributing its bountiful harvest across their land. Little did they know, their elation would soon transform into terror as the once-promising plants unleashed a wave of destruction, infesting their homes and afflicting them with a sinister disease that slowly drained their life force.
The escapees were motivated by their unwavering love for their children and dear ones, compelling them to take such drastic measures. They were fully aware of the selfishness of their actions, but they couldn't bear the thought of their loved ones enduring the same agonizing pain they had suffered. It felt as if their very existence was being suffocated by tightening vines, crushing their insides, while every nerve was mercilessly torn apart by roots and thorns. As I locked eyes with the man, I assured him that there was no need for them to abandon their village. I had made it my mission to bring an end to this dreadful situation, just as I had done for them, and I could extend my healing powers to the rest of the villagers as well.
As we approached the village, we found ourselves healing and rescuing an increasing number of people. But why did we bring them back? Well, it all started with their disbelief in my abilities. They claimed that my claims were nothing but nonsense, insisting that no one could possibly defeat the plant monsters plaguing their village. In response, I simply invited them to witness my actions firsthand. I challenged them to come and see if I couldn't accomplish what I had promised. Of course, I wondered if they were too afraid to even watch.
It may appear heartless, given the hardships they had already endured, but the audacity of these imbeciles to insult me for simply sharing my honest intentions is truly offensive. Their insults infuriated me to such an extent that I couldn't help but respond in the manner I did.
Upon arriving at the village, the village elder approached me and inquired if I was the merchant who had come to sell herbicide. I replied, stating that my original intention was indeed to sell herbicide, but circumstances had changed. Now, I needed to meet every individual affected by the plant disease. The elder wasted no time and swiftly instructed others to gather all the sick individuals from every building in the vicinity. As I entered the village's meeting hall, I was astounded to witness a multitude of people, spanning across various ages and genders.
I grabbed one bottle and used my skill to increase its efficiency of it, and handed each bottle to one of the women who were with me, Filo, on the other hand, found some rather tasty berries outside and was too busy eating them, guess pulling the cart with so many people made her a bit hungry, so I really shouldn't complain. I of course use the herbicide potion myself to treat as many people as I could, as I had done with the people afflicted with the dragon rot poison in the previous village I was at.
One by one the people began to recover from the illness and each time they did, the formula of the herbicide became better and better, almost like my knowledge of the potion was increasing by gaining the experience of using it. The next morning I and the other five people that came with me were finally done treating the last of the ill people, and as I was getting ready to go to the cart and sleep, the elder and a few of what seemed to be his advisors surrounded me, I, of course, thought that they would try to kill me if they figured that I am the Shield Hero, since the worshippers of that cult consider me the devil incarnate.
They had surrounded me and when I thought they would attack or order others to do so, they fall on their knees, "We beg you, please kill those plant monsters and stop the spread of these plants that have brought ruin to our village, we beg the savior of the heavenly fowl."
The moment he confessed, I couldn't contain my emotions. "So, you're aware of my identity and my past deeds, fine. But let me enlighten you, Elder. Every single person I rescued on my journey here revealed the truth about this village. So, I must ask, why did you use that seed? You must have known about the alchemist who created it, considering his hideout isn't far from here. Yet, despite knowing about this so-called mad alchemist, you still chose to use the seed."
The Elder remained silent, and one of his advisors explained that they had no choice but to use the seed. The village was on the brink of starvation, with no other source of sustenance. If they hadn't taken that desperate measure, they would have resorted to cannibalism among their own people, sinking to a level lower than monsters. "So, out of sheer desperation, you gambled on this seed, hoping and praying it was safe because it was given to you by the Spear Hero. How many more of their disastrous decisions will I have to rectify this month? I've already cleaned up the mess caused by the so-called Sword Hero. Why should this be any different? Fine, I'll assist you, but on one condition: keep this a secret and never breathe a word about my involvement. I don't want to hear how I saved you from other villages. The Church of the Three Heroes would inflict unimaginable horrors upon you if they found out."
One of the advisors questioned why the church would harm the village when the Shield Hero was willing to help. In response, I tapped the book strapped to my arm, instantly transforming it into a shield. I explained that the church would never accept that the Shield Hero had aided anyone and would punish anyone who dared to express gratitude towards me. "I'm not concerned about my own safety, that's irrelevant. However, I don't want any harm to befall you simply because you chose to acknowledge and thank me for my assistance. I'm not belittling you; I just hope you understand the importance of critical thinking and making informed choices, like the one you made with the seed."
Having a half-dragon on their side proved to be an invaluable asset. With just one fiery breath, the plants quickly learned that getting up close and personal was not a wise choice if they wanted to survive. Roy, with his mastery of kinetic energy, caused the plant monsters to explode into pieces, rather than simply burning them to ashes like most would have done. He understood that there was more to be gained from these creatures. By feeding the monster pieces to his shield, he unlocked important skills such as mana control and the ability to manipulate the biology of plants.
While the alchemical benefits were great, Roy's true desire was to transform these monster plants into something beneficial. He felt a connection to the alchemist who created them and believed it was his duty as a fellow alchemist to correct any mistakes and fulfill their last wish.
The root of the problem lay in a massive tree at the heart of the village. It was the source of these monstrous creatures and the driving force behind their relentless killing spree. Roy found it peculiar that such a colossal tree was planted there, likely the very first seed that was sown.
Meanwhile, Raphtalia and Filo, not to be outdone by the newcomers, unleashed their fury upon every monster they encountered. They fought with unmatched strength and determination, even though Raphtalia was still plagued by the effects of a curse. Roy's main concern was their safety, but he couldn't help but admire their unwavering courage and capability.
Watching those monstrous plants wreak havoc and attack my friends was a sight I couldn't bear. The acid-spitting plants entangled and captured them, but I wasn't going to stand idly by. I bravely marched towards the largest tree in the plaza, determined to put an end to this madness.
The tree underestimated me, thinking I would be an easy target like Filo, Raphtalia, Jane, and Wyndia. But my anger fueled me, and I walked towards it, effortlessly destroying or absorbing every vine that tried to wrap around me. The tree's single eye glared at me with fury and frustration, realizing it couldn't stop me. It would soon learn the meaning of fear.
Reaching the trunk, I unleashed a powerful blast that caused the tree to regenerate, but I targeted the most vulnerable parts. With one hand, I grabbed an herbicide potion and used my skill to maximize its effectiveness. Pouring it onto the exposed areas once protected by bark, the fear in the tree's eye was hidden from Filo and Raphtalia as it slowly withered and died. "No one messes with daddy and gets away with it," I heard Filo cheer, signaling the end of the battle.
Though the battle was won, the fight wasn't over. I immediately instructed everyone to gather the fallen fruit and create a makeshift container using the surrounding broken metal. We had to ensure the seeds wouldn't touch the soil.
With determination, I snatched one of the seeds and delved into its intricate biological structure. Utilizing my expertise, I tirelessly toiled for three consecutive hours until I finally comprehended the exact flaw in its creation. I made it clear to everyone that I desired uninterrupted focus as I toiled until the early hours of the following day. Surprisingly, my efforts proved fruitful as I successfully eliminated the detrimental mutations and enhanced the seed's productivity and capacity. Consequently, the fruits will now flourish at an accelerated pace and in greater abundance during each harvest.
By nourishing my shield with the perfected fruits, I not only unlocked its full potential but also gained mastery over various shields. These shields encompassed a wide range of benefits, including calorie control, prevention of spoilage, and the ability to keep fruits and vegetables fresh even when left exposed. While these enhancements would undoubtedly be advantageous to many, they became somewhat redundant for me after unlocking the Zombie Shield. With this powerful shield in my possession, nothing within my inventory ever rots. As a result, I not only became more resilient to injuries but also experienced faster regeneration and reduced skill costs. Moreover, there was a high probability of landing critical hits on my enemies' vulnerable areas.
The enhancements to my so-called STATS were not just about causing damage in combat, but they were definitely worth mentioning. Honestly, the most challenging aspect for me was comprehending the peculiar terms associated with Status Magic. However, luck was on my side as the Status Magic included informative tutorials that provided detailed explanations. While I worked on enhancing the biological and genetic composition of the fruits, I made sure to read through these helpful screens.
Upon completing the final stages of my meticulously planned experiment, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. With a flick of my wrist, I released one of the treated seeds, watching in awe as it transformed into a flourishing sapling, adorned with an abundance of succulent and luscious fruits. Curiosity got the better of me, and I plucked one from the branches, taking a satisfying bite. "This is a triumph! The fruit is not only deliciously sweet, but also nourishing. The alchemist's project is an undeniable success. I hope my departed colleague can finally find peace, knowing his final wish has been fulfilled."
As we made our way back to the base camp, where the villagers eagerly awaited our return, I couldn't help but anticipate a hostile reception. After all, we had just resolved their predicament, and history had taught me that such acts of salvation often led to resentment and aggression. I braced myself for a mob armed with torches, clubs, and pitchforks, ready to either eliminate us or force us into exile. Though, deep down, I knew that this outcome hadn't materialized in my current existence, the echoes of past lives warned me of its possibility.
To my astonishment and delight, the villagers greeted us with genuine happiness, rushing towards us with offers of assistance. It was as if they were genuinely concerned for our well-being, relieved that we had returned unscathed. Many expressed their gratitude, eager to begin rebuilding their village. If anything, their only sorrow stemmed from the realization that solving this crisis had brought them back to their original problem - the famine that had driven them to such desperate measures.
Elder, you can rest assured now. I have discovered the root cause of these monstrous fruit plants and have successfully eliminated the problem. The alchemist's seed is now completely safe to plant and cultivate. The Elder's face lit up with a smile as he inquired about the growth speed of these fruits. With the eradication of famine, the villagers considered me their hero, regardless of what the church called me. They were willing to assist me in any way possible.
As we departed from the village, they generously provided us with thousands of crates filled with the new fruits. Even I was astonished by their rapid growth. To add to the excitement, they cross-pollinated the flowers with other fruit trees, resulting in a wide variety of fruits. These perfected seeds were named cornucopia seeds, reminiscent of the mythical horn.
"Now that this matter is resolved, we must head to the capital, despite my aversion to that place, and even worse, the church of the three heroes. I dislike going there, but it is the only source of high-grade holy water, which is essential for curing Raphtalia's curse." Jane, perplexed by my disdain for these locations, sought answers from the others.
Alright, it seems like Filo has picked up some of Jane's colorful language. I should have known better than to let Jane be a bad influence on Filo. After all, she's still young and easily influenced by those around her. And let me tell you, Jane curses and screams obscenities like a sailor. Actually, she even makes some sailors blush from sheer embarrassment.
As we were traveling, we came across a peculiar sight. There was a young lady playing with a group of Filolials, and they seemed to be having a grand time together. It was quite unusual to see a girl dressed in such elegant attire all by herself in the middle of nowhere, so we decided to approach her and see if she needed any assistance.
"Excuse me, I hate to intrude on your fun, but I was playing with these Filolials when I somehow got separated and ended up all alone. I have no idea where my guards are, but to cut to the chase, could you possibly help me reach the capital? I have some very important business there. Rest assured, you will be rewarded for your kindness."
I couldn't help but be reminded of Mire from my previous life when I saw this girl. It was heartwarming to witness another girl who adored Filolials just as much as Mire did. So, naturally, I agreed to help her. As we embarked on our journey, Filo couldn't contain her curiosity and asked why the girl played with the Filolials in such a unique way. And that's when she began to share all the things she loved about them. It was so endearing that Filo blushed and transformed into her true form, prompting the girl, now known as Melty, to embrace Filo tightly. She couldn't stop gushing about how soft Filo's feathers felt against her skin.
Melty couldn't be more similar to Mire if she tried. I remember Mire once making a pillow using discarded Filolial feathers as stuffing. As we continued our travels, Melty quickly became friends with the other people around me. However, there's something about her that makes me suspect she might be related to Myne. So, I made sure to maintain a polite demeanor as I informed her that I needed to make a stop and meet a business acquaintance to share some news.
The journey proved to be quite uneventful, and as we made a stop near our trading friend, we took the opportunity to update him on the new crops that were now available. To say that he was generous with his gift would be an understatement. Slowly but surely, I am building my new information network, which will help me stay informed about the activities of the three stooges. No matter where they are, it seems I will always be left to clean up their mess, once again.
As we bid farewell to Melty and walked into the city, I noticed the sadness in Filo's eyes. It was clear that she didn't want to say goodbye. I reassured her that chances are we would meet again, especially since Melty promised us a reward for our help. I mentioned that we could usually be found near Earhart's business. Filo's spirits lifted as she realized there was still something to look forward to.
Jane wasn't surprised to see the merchants already selling the fruit we had informed our friend about. The prices were reasonable and affordable, which meant that even the lower-class citizens could improve their lives in some small way. As I walked towards the church, I suddenly heard loud footsteps approaching.
"Mustang, you scoundrel! How dare you add more slaves to your party? Not only have you enslaved the beautiful Raphtalia, but now an angel and two innocent children as well! Have you no shame? Release them immediately, or I will make you regret it, you despicable piece of garbage!"
Well, isn't this just my luck? I had some business with the church and, of course, one of the three stooges decides to show up. And who else but the spear-wielding moron himself, Motoyasu. Seriously, couldn't I have done this without dealing with this idiot? Ren may not be the friendliest person, and Itsuki may have some serious delusions, but Motoyasu takes the cake as the worst of the bunch.
If you have a problem with slavery, take it up with the Royal Family who allows it. And yes, my little family has grown since we last met, but that doesn't excuse you for attacking me with your spear. Don't you care that your reckless attacks can cause harm to innocent people and damage their property? Thank goodness for Jane and her shields, protecting everyone from this idiot's destructive behavior. Motoyasu, you're supposed to be a hero, so start acting like one!
As soon as Jane saw that spear coming towards us, she used her alchemy skills to quickly create massive metal walls, shielding the road and preventing any harm to the nearby stalls, shops, and people. If she hadn't reacted so swiftly, the damage could have been catastrophic, with dozens of people injured. I can already hear Earhart laughing, saying that the more idiots like Motoyasu cause damage, the more healing potions I'll sell. But I should really tell him to stop, because it's not about the money, it's about keeping people safe.
But no, Motoyasu chose to ignore my warning and, without even asking for permission, he went and took Filo's hand. He had the audacity to smile at her, as if he could win her over. Little does he know whose hand he's actually holding. "You, who appear to be an angel, fear not. I will protect you from this devil of a man. At least you got rid of that feathered tub of lard you cheated with in our race."
Filo swiftly released his hand and fixed a piercing gaze upon it. "You've insulted me for the second time now. I despise you, spear guy!" In an instant, she transformed into her true form, utilizing the speed of her metamorphosis to deliver another powerful kick to Motoyasu's vulnerable spot, propelling him into the air. To my astonishment, he once again landed headfirst into a nearby cart filled with manure. Why on earth would a manure cart be situated in the bustling market district? Rushing to his aid, I helped him up while his party glared at me. And then there was the shadow, pretending to be Malty. Wait, Malty... could she possibly be related to Melty? The similarity in their names cannot be mere coincidence.
"First and foremost, you coerced her into breaking free from her slave contract. However, she willingly chose to re-enter it. Filo, being a Filolial, requires the contract for me to monitor her well-being. As a father, it is my duty to ensure the health and safety of my children. And as for the one with the whip, she is my childhood friend from my world, Jane Havoc. Before you say something you'll regret, let me clarify that I have adopted these two during my travels. This is my second daughter, Wyndia, and her brother, Gaelion. I am immensely proud of their strength. As for the slave seal, I will allow them to decide whether they want to keep it or not. How many times must I reiterate that Filo dislikes having her personal space invaded by people she dislikes?"
He was still experiencing a considerable amount of discomfort, prompting me to show mercy. "If you offer an apology to her, I will provide you with a potion that can alleviate your pain. So, what do you say, Motoyasu? Will you apologize for hurting my daughter's feelings?" Motoyasu simply shrugged and walked away, declaring that he would only accept one of my potions when pigs start flying. Undoubtedly, he believed the potion to be nothing but poison. As the imposter posing as Malty approached and assisted him in leaving, it was clear they were headed towards the local healer or apothecary. However, I was far from finished with this group. "I am convinced that the queen must be made aware of your deceit, and you shall face a painful punishment. I dare say."